Hamilton Police say domestic related assaults on officers not acceptable

Hamilton Police are warning people about the dangers of over indulging this summer after a violent past 48 hours that has seen a number of people hospitalised in domestic incidents and several officers assaulted.

City Area Commander, Inspector Rob Lindsay, said traditionally this time of year always saw an increase in domestic violence while at the same time people were consuming more alcohol with longer daylight hours.

"But that aside the past 48 hours have seen incidents over and above what can be expected or accepted.

"On Monday afternoon a man believed to have been under the influence of some sought of substance assaulted four staff in Hamilton East before he was subdued and then last night our staff dealt with a number of other serious incidents."

In the first incident officers called to reports of a violent domestic attack in Dinsdale about 3.30pm found a man unconscious suffering from serious head injuries.

"The victim had been drinking heavily at a party and got into a dispute with a sibling. Knocked to the ground he has lost consciousness.

"The victim is currently in Intensive Care at Waikato Hospital, his attacker was arrested while a heavily intoxicated 16-year-old female was also removed from the property for her own safety. While in a patrol car the girl bit one of my staff which we view as a serious assault."

Mr Lindsay said about 6.30pm officers had to deal with a suicidal man who had cut himself with a knife who was armed with a tomahawk.

"He was subdued by Police and taken for treatment.

"Two hours later staff attended another domestic, this time in Melville, where a man was reported to have strangled a woman. During the struggle to subdue this man a female Constable suffered an arm injury and was taken to Waikato Hospital for treatment."

Later on in the evening Police also dealt with an intoxicated driver who drove into a Nixon St home, arrested by Police the driver blew 710mgms while the legal alcohol limit is 400.

Mr Lindsay said with the economic climate adding to the traditional pressures of the Festive Season Police were urging restraint in terms of alcohol consumption.

"We would urge anyone feeling under pressure to seek help, the answer lies with the vast range of government and non-government agencies specialising in assisting those in difficulty- not in the bottom of a bottle.

"Domestic violence is a priority for our staff however. As the senior officer for this City I can also say we also take assaults on our officers very seriously and anyone involved in such an offence can expect the full extent of the law to come down on them."

ENDS

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